Review of The Fountainhead (1949) by H S — 24 Dec 2016

A fine adaptation of a very complex story. The screenplay was adapted by Ayn Rand from her novel of the same title.

This is no ordinary story. It is one of the 3 main novels in the trilogy of Ayn Rand's cult philosophy of Objectivism. The other 2 novels being "Atlas Shrugged" and "Anthem", which oddly never received a major Hollywood production despite their classic status. Perhaps it is because Rand's Objectivism is more extreme than Libertarianism, which are out of place in left wing Hollywood.

The film is well acted, perhaps overacted, by Gary Cooper, Patricia Neal and Raymond Massey. King Vidor directs. The story itself is driven by larger-than-life character, Howard Roark, is difficult to take realistically. The emphasis on architecture is also another plot device that seems unnatural in the present (and past) world. However, Rand is making a strong point in that a human should be fiercely independent and respected for being such. Any collective actions by liberals, unionists, and the weak should not be allowed to supress the greatness an individual may attain.

Ayn Rand's ultra-conservative, right-wing philosophy is typically celebrated by idealistic late teenagers and 20-somethings until it becomes watered down by the realities of the harsh world we all must face.